Robert Keats

Careers in Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media

Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media Career Carousel

Staff Writer

Screenwriter

Reader

A staff writer works on the writing staff of a television show to break stories and write/rewrite scripts. Staff writers deliver a negotiated number of individual scripts for a given television series. They also make notes at table reads and run-throughs and then work with the Writers’ Room staff on additional rewrites.

How to Become a Staff Writer:

Write a spec script for a current show

The script is used as a writing sample to get an agent

The agent submits the script to different shows

The writer is hired to work full-time on a show

Job Skills:

Deliver television comedy or drama scripts that meet industry standards

Write for existing characters and storylines

Develop and pitch compelling story ideas

Work collaboratively with other writers and show producers

Strong work ethic

A screenwriter writes scripts for feature films. Screenwriters work as freelancers, selling ideas or spec scripts. They may also be hired for an open writing assignment.

How a Screenwriter Gets Work:

Pitch an original idea and sell it to a studio or production company

Sell a story based on material in which the writer own the rights

Sell a story that’s in the public domain

Sell a spec script

Get a spec script optioned

Get hired on an open writing assignment

Job Skills:

Develop compelling story ideas

Effectively pitch and sell those ideas

Deliver imaginative scripts that meet industry expectations

Strong work ethic

The reader is responsible for providing script coverage for production companies. You’ll be reading and analyzing scripts to provide recommendations on development opportunities, and providing valuable feedback to the production and creative teams.

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We encourage you to explore the limits of your creativity and create your own path to creative fulfillment. Many of our classes can be taken without any prior experience or knowledge; all that's required is a desire to learn and explore. If you’d like to take a class that has a prerequisite, please contact an admissions representative. Once you’ve demonstrated equivalent knowledge or completion of a similar course a representative will assist you with registration.